Panasonic ToughBook 30 vs GammaTech Durabook D15RP (Engadget)
March 24, 2009
Engadget has posted a review/comparison of the current rugged Intel Centrino 2-based 13.3″ Panasonic ToughBook 30 versus the semi-rugged 15.4″ GammaTech Durabook D15RP. The ToughBook 30 isn’t exactly ultraportable - it weighs in at over 8 pounds, however it’s one of the most rugged/durable in its class, if not the most rugged/durable. Both of these meet MIL-STD-810F specifications, which is a set of standards put out by the US Army to test just how rugged certain devices are within certain environmental/field conditions (heat, cold, drop-tests, dust-proof, liquids, etc.).
It’s a unique comparison - the Toughbook has a lower-voltage SL9300 Intel Core 2 Duo, versus the Durabook’s Intel T8300 (faster/higher voltage), as well as the displays - the Panasonic’s is one of the few 13.3-inch displays using a non-widescreen XGA resolution (1024×768) while the GammaTech has a 15.4-inch 1280×800. In the Toughbook’s defense, it does have a touchscreen display
The review is worth it just to watch the videos of both being put through their paces - drop tests (to test the cases as well as seeing just how shock/drop-proof the HDD setups are) as well as the reviewer physically standing on them and pouring water on them.
Read: Engadget
Lenovo ThinkPads Meets Semi-Rugged Requirements
February 23, 2009
This kind of came out of nowhere. We all knew that ThinkPads had a reputation for being tougher than a lot of other laptops/notebooks in the market.
Lenovo has now announced that the following eight ThinkPads have been designated by Lenovo for use in semi-rugged environments, as well as various field conditions:
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200s
- Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet
- Lenovo ThinkPad X301
- Lenovo ThinkPad T400
- Lenovo ThinkPad T500
- Lenovo ThinkPad R400
- Lenovo ThinkPad SL300
The X200 series is Lenovo’s first widescreen 12″ ultraportables in the ThinkPad X series line; the X301 is a 13.3-inch widescreen, as is the SL300. The T400 and R400 are 14″ laptops, and the T500 is a 15″ laptop.
This is surprising in that usually when laptop manufacturers try to meet certain military or field specifications (utility work, construction sites, law enforcement), they offer a special model/version, with various changes from their normal line. As the press release points out however, these ThinkPads come with protection for the hard drive, as well as a sturdier chassis and display than some.
Via: SlashGear
Press Release:
Lenovo Puts ThinkPad Laptops to the “Tough Test”: Meets Military Specs for Semi-Rugged Computing
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – February 24, 2009: Lenovo today announced that it is designating eight ThinkPad laptops for use in field and vehicle semi-ruggedized computing environments such as in public safety, utilities, construction and the military. The ThinkPad X200, X301, X200s, X200 Tablet, T400, T500, R400 and SL300 laptops meet a barrage of military specifications tests and are enhanced with specially-designed durability features such as an air-bag like protection system and a roll cage in select models. Because field computing requires excellent screen viewability, Lenovo is also adding a new optional 680-nit high brightness panel to its most popular laptop, the ThinkPad T400 laptop.
“ThinkPad is well known for quality, reliability and innovative security technologies for business computing,” said Tom Ribble, executive director, Worldwide ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. “The truth is we’ve always built tough laptops that can weather extreme conditions from hiking the rainforests of the Amazon to flying in space. You don’t need a PC that looks like a tank to excel in harsh environments, and unlike many of our competitors, we don’t put an extra charge on toughness.”
LAPTOP Magazine’s Best Notebooks of 2008
December 6, 2008
LAPTOP Magazine is publishing their annual lists of various categories (dubious, best, etc.). A few weeks ago, they put together their best notebooks list for 2008 after looking through 111 reviews.
Netbooks definitely made LAPTOP Magazine take notice - they called 2008 “the year of the mini-notebook” and said that netbooks made up nearly 20% of the reviews they published.
Apple’s new 13.3″ MacBook topped the list for best “All-Purpose” notebook, with the redesign as well as the addition of NVidia’s GeForce 9400M graphics chipset playing a prominent factor.
The 8.9″ Acer Aspire One topped their mini-notebook list, with the pricing and features playing a major factor. The 10.2″ MSI Wind U100 came in at the top as well.
The 13.3″ Lenovo ThinkPad X301 captured their ultraportable category, with the Sony VAIO VGN-Z series coming in second.
Dell’s Vostro 1310 was the winner in the business category, with Lenovo’s 12.1″ ThinkPad X200.
Speaking of the X200, the 12.1″ Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Tablet convertible captured the Tablet category. Panasonics Toughbook 30 was the winner in the rugged category.
Read: LAPTOP Magazine
NEC LaVie Light / Versa N1100 - Durable
November 12, 2008
The 8.9-inch Intel Atom powered NEC LaVie Light, aka the Versa N1100 (as it will be known in Asia) is turning out to be one of the most durable netbooks around. NEC won’t make the claim of the most durable or rugged netbook around, but it’s definitely able to hold up to a lot more than many others.
APC Magazine reports that it’s magnesium alloy-based and NEC claims that it can withstand up to 150kg of force (around 330 pounds). This was due in part to the initial target audience - commuters in Japan and elsewhere that were having durability problems with notebooks in tightly packed areas. The magnesium alloy frame should protect the netbook and its display for up to 5 seconds of such pressure.
They’ve also tested it with “artificial sweat”, as well as dropping it on a variety of surfaces (from wood to concrete).
It is slightly heavier than other netbooks, given the materials, at 1.1kg (around 2.5 pounds), but this could be a perfect match for those who find themselves in situations where their netbooks could be knocked around or even sat on.
Read: APC Magazine
HP EliteBook 2530p Review (NotebookReview)
October 31, 2008
A few days ago, JerryJ over at NotebookReview.com posted a review of the 12.1″ HP EliteBook 2530p, which became available a few months ago. The 2530p was a major upgrade over the 12.1″ 2510p, it moved to the Centrino 2 platform, and it offered new hard drive options (including SSD options). It saw a major change with the move to a more ruggedized / durable case.
The review model for NBR was near the top of the line 2530ps, with an Low Voltage (LV) Core 2 Duo (you can also buy one with an Ultra Low Voltage CPU), an 80GB Solid State Drive (SSD), with a 6-cell battery (9-cells are available).
They mention how durable it is: The main body of the EliteBook 2530p is covered in the new “HP DuraCase” and “HP DuraFinish” which is essentially a hard plastic and strong magnesium alloy inner shell much like its predecessor strengthened by a brushed aluminum outer shell that is so scratch resistant you can’t even scratch it with steel wool. The base of the laptop feels very strong and would definitely survive many bumps and bruises that other laptops might not.
They’ve included photos of the chassis, including HDD access, memory access, and PCI-Express card access.
Read: NotebookReview.com
Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 Review (TR)
July 10, 2008
TrustedReviews has published one of the first reviews of the new 5.6-inch Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1, which represents a new direction in Panasonic’s line of “rugged” ultraportables.
The CF-U1 is based on an Intel Atom Z520 CPU running at 1.33GHz, and has either a 16 or 32GB Solid State Drive (SSD). In addition to being able to withstand drops of up to four feet, it has some weatherproofing to keep dust and water out. It also has a unique two-battery system to allow you to hotswap new batteries into the system without powering down (but still running off of battery power).
While it’s based on an Intel Atom, it’s definitely not a “netbook” - the price tag as well as features (weatherproofing, etc.) keep it out of that category.
TR points out that due to the fact that there are no moving parts (the keyboard is below the screen - it’s not a two-part machine with hinges, etc.), that this could be Panasonic’s most rugged device yet.
Read: TrustedReviews
Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1 Hands-On (Akihabara)
June 26, 2008
Akihabara News has posted one of the first extensive looks at the new 5.6-inch Intel Atom-powered Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1. The CF-U1 is a “rugged’ type of device, made to withstand drops of around 3 - 4 feet and is sealed to protect it from exposure to moisture water.
They’ve posted about sixty pictures of Panasonic’s press conference / demonstration of the CF-U1 in Japan yesterday. There are a lot of closeups of the CF-U1, as well as it’s dock/charging station (it can be docked and charging extra batteries as well), plus a charging station for four batteries. The CF-U1 has a unique two-battery system that allows a battery to be hot-swapped with a fresh battery while continuously operating off of the other battery and without being plugged into another power source.
Included are pictures of the CF-U1 being liberally doused with water, as well as being dropped around three feet or so onto a piece of concrete. It’s very important to note, this is not meant to be used under water! (although the model was definitely pouring a lot of water on it during the demonstration).
Read: Akihabara News
Announced: Panasonic Toughbook CF-U1
June 25, 2008
Panasonic has formally announced the Panasonic ToughBook CF-U1, an ultraportable device powered by a 1.33GHz Intel Atom CPU. The device has been shown at various events going back to Cebit Germany, but today marks the official announcement of availability and pricing.
It has a 5.6-inch widescreen touchscreen display (putting it into the same class as the Fujitsu Lifebook U810 and its sequel, the Lifebook U2010). Storage consists of a 16GB or 32GB Solid State Drive (SSD). It will weigh around 1.06 kg (2.34 pounds).
One of the unique features is that the 61-key keyboard is directly under the display - it’s more of a Tablet form factor than a laptop, but it includes a full keyboard (that is split in the middle with a numeric pad taking up the center). There is an optional 10-key keyboard that functions more like an enhanced Tablet PC. It also features a two battery system that, in addition to the up to 7-10 hours of battery life, can allow for the batteries to be hotswapped for continuous use.
As with other Panasonic Toughbooks, it has rubber seals for I/O sockets (USB, etc.) along with other measures, to protect the device from water being accidentally splashed on it or dust getting inside. In addition, its rugged design protects it from accidental drops to the ground/floor.
It will be available in both North American and Japanese markets later this year (availability in Europe and other parts of Asia is not known at this time). North American customers can expect to see it in August, with a starting price in the $2500 range.
Read:
- Panasonic ToughBook page (Panasonic.biz, Translated from Japanese)
